Brandwave

National Geographic vs Smithsonian Mega Science Lab:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, National Geographic had more branded searches than Smithsonian Mega Science Lab among science kits worldwide. National Geographic had about 673,000 branded searches, while Smithsonian Mega Science Lab had 320. National Geographic made up 83.1% of all science kit searches we track, and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab accounted for 0.04%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about science kits, National Geographic appeared in four of the five answers and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in two. National Geographic was mentioned before Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in four out of five answers.

Among science kits worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

National Geographic, about 2103 searches for every 1 for Smithsonian Mega Science Lab

National Geographic 673K searchesSmithsonian Mega Science Lab 320 searches

Who does AI mention more?

National Geographic, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in 2

National Geographic in 4 of 5Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

National Geographic, named ahead of Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in 4 of 5 answers

National Geographic first in 4Smithsonian Mega Science Lab first in 1

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Top science kits in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, National Geographic was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Smithsonian Mega Science Lab was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. National Geographic was listed before Smithsonian Mega Science Lab in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. National Geographic1st
  2. Snap Circuits2nd
  3. Thames & Kosmos3rd
  4. Smithsonian Mega Science Lab4th
  5. KiwiCo5th
  6. MEL Science6th
  7. Little Passports–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Thames & Kosmos5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • National Geographic4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Snap Circuits3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • KiwiCo2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Smithsonian Mega Science Lab2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • MEL Science1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Little Passports0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about science kits

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is National Geographic or Smithsonian Mega Science Lab more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for National Geographic and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven science kits we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

National Geographic and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab among science kits worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for National Geographic, Smithsonian Mega Science Lab. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNational GeographicKiwiCoSnap CircuitsThames & KosmosLittle PassportsMEL ScienceSmithsonian Mega Science Lab
Oct 202586.4%9.5%2.9%0.41%0.47%0.38%0.01%
Nov 202577.6%15.6%4.7%0.81%0.77%0.51%0.02%
Dec 202572.9%17.8%6.6%1.1%0.88%0.72%0.04%
Jan 202687.7%7.9%2.9%0.51%0.58%0.39%0.01%
Feb 202689.8%6.6%2.4%0.35%0.4%0.32%0.02%
Mar 202689.9%6.7%2.4%0.28%0.32%0.4%0.02%
Apr 202686.4%9.5%2.8%0.41%0.38%0.46%0.03%
May 202686.4%9.5%2.8%0.4%0.38%0.38%0.06%
Jun 202683.7%11.3%3.4%0.59%0.44%0.55%0.06%
Jul 202680.9%13.3%4%0.69%0.65%0.43%0.06%
Aug 202680.6%13.3%4%0.83%0.79%0.53%0.07%
Sep 202683.1%11.2%4.1%0.58%0.54%0.44%0.04%

How has the National Geographic and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for science kits worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, National Geographic gained share of searches among science kits worldwide, from 80.6% to 83.1%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Smithsonian Mega Science Lab worldwide rose 128.6% over 12 measured months, from 140 to 320 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using National Geographic’s and Smithsonian Mega Science Lab’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

National Geographic

1 branded search term

  • national geographic

Smithsonian Mega Science Lab

1 branded search term

  • smithsonian mega science lab

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among science kits

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